The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 112: Venerable Master Must Not Be Insulted

He was referring to what Mo Ran had done on the first day of his rebirth, fueled by resentment.

Thinking back, although Rong Jiu had wronged him in his previous life and conspired with Young Master Chang to take his life, that was all in the past. In this life, Rong Jiu had not yet gone that far with Young Master Chang. Mo Ran's theft of his silver at the time was indeed inexplicable.

"I'm in the wrong," Mo Ran said, unwilling to argue under these circumstances. "I'll return everything I took from you in the future."

"How do you plan to repay me?" Rong Jiu asked. "Moreover, what use would those gold and jewels be to me now?"

Mo Ran: "..."

"You returned my pearl bracelet, but what about my life?"

"What?" Mo Ran was taken aback. "Your life?"

"Yes, my life." Rong Jiu seemed to have touched upon a painful memory, and his expression gradually darkened.

"Do you know how I died?"

"..."

It seemed he had been holding back for a long time, and now that the lid was finally lifted, all the pent-up emotions burst out uncontrollably. Before Mo Ran could say anything, Rong Jiu continued in a sorrowful tone, his expression suddenly turning furious and then gradually distorted.

"That wretched Chang fellow was so deceitful. When he saw that you no longer favored me, he thought I was no longer valuable and tricked me into believing – he claimed he had genuine feelings for me, but unfortunately, his family looked down on me for being a courtesan, someone impure. He said it would be best for us to have less contact in the future. Back then, I was blinded by love and thought he was making this decision under pressure from his parents, out of sheer helplessness... Pah! I fell for his lies!"

Mo Ran replied, "Then you should blame Chang, not me."

Rong Jiu's anger simmered slightly. "Why shouldn't I blame you? Originally, I had saved enough money to buy my freedom. But you took it all, leaving me disheartened and unwilling to stay in the brothel any longer. However, without that money, I couldn't leave honorably; I could only sneak away. If you hadn't taken my savings, would I have ended up in such a pathetic state?"

"…You escaped?"

"Yes, I escaped. I went to his place," Rong Jiu said resentfully. "But that man with the surname Chang wouldn't let me in, and the people from the tavern caught up to me. In the end, I couldn't fight them off, and they took me back, beat me up, and locked me away again."

Mo Ran pondered. "But that man with the surname Chang said you died when you encountered the breach of the Ghost Realm while visiting relatives in Butterfly Town."

"Haha!" A hint of mockery creased Rong Jiu's ambiguous features. "He really has the nerve to say that. Relatives? I don't have any relatives in Butterfly Town!"

"…"

"You said I was living on the edge of a knife, didn't you? Let me show you what it truly means to live on the edge of a knife!" Rong Jiu's excitement grew, distorting his features; he now resembled a vengeful spirit. "I'll tell you how I died! You so-called patrons! Haha—patrons!"

"I spent so long in that brothel, locked up with no food, suffering. No one cared whether I lived or died. After many days, I was on the verge of despair. Then Chang came back, crying and telling me that the reason he didn't open the door for me that day was because his parents were in a rage, and he was afraid that if I entered, their servants would beat me to death!"

Mo Ran shook his head at such an obvious lie. "You couldn't have believed him."

"No," Rong Jiu's eyes shimmered with a trembling light. "I did."

Mo Ran: "..."

"I believed him," Rong Jiu said through his overwhelming resentment, forcing a twisted smile. "Why wouldn't I? Belief is something only those with a way out can afford to discuss. What was I? A flesh peddler, believing whatever others dangled before me, or else I'd have no chance of survival."

Pausing for a moment, he continued.

"Chang told me he would keep his promise and take me into his home. But he said his parents couldn't accept me just yet, so he suggested we stay temporarily in a nearby town."

"Butterfly Town?"

"Yes, Butterfly Town."

Mo Ran had already vaguely guessed what had happened, and his expression darkened accordingly.

Sure enough, Rong Jiu said, "I packed my belongings with joy, oh right, there wasn't much to pack anyway. All the money I earned over the years by selling blood and flesh was plundered by you in a fit of excitement. But it didn't matter; I thought I had Young Master Chang."

"…Ha." After a moment of silence, he let out a strained laugh, then savagely bit down on those two words, "Young Master Chang."

"Was it him who deceived you into going to Butterfly Town and then caused your death there?"

"…No." Rong Jiu cackled with resentment in his eyes. "It wasn't him who killed me; it was all of you who blocked my path one by one, forcing me to join him on his treacherous journey. It was you, all of you, who killed me."

Rong Jiu took a deep breath and continued, "After arriving at Butterfly Town, I followed this man with the surname Chang into a grand mansion, but it was eerily quiet inside, and there were no servants. He told me he hadn't had time to prepare anything yet, so he asked me to rest in the mansion while he went out to buy some things. I waited there, and not long after, I saw him walk into the courtyard with another man."

Mo Ran's face suddenly paled as he interrupted, "Could you see that man's appearance clearly?"

"No," Rong Jiu replied. "The man wore a mask and a cloak, so I couldn't see anything. ...Then I saw the man with the surname Chang kneel down before that man. His smile was even more obsequious than when I'm entertaining guests. He should have seen himself then; it was utterly disgusting. He told that man that I still had remnants of wood spirit essence within me, and that I'd been intimate with you before—making me a good sacrificial offering. But honestly, I don't cultivate, nor do I want to. I didn't understand what they were talking about."

Mo Ran felt his scalp tingle.

He knew that, after their intimacy, some wood spirit essence would remain within Rong Jiu. The fake Chongxu had been searching for a suitable replacement, and although the aura circulating within Rong Jiu was faint, it was pure and indeed fit for use in spells.

"There's not much else to say about what happened after that," a rare chill seeped into Rong Jiu's usually frivolous expression. "As Young Master Mo saw, I died."

If it had been the previous or newly reborn Mo Ran, he would have sneered and mocked, "Your death has nothing to do with me, does it?"

But at this moment, Mo Ran couldn't quite bring himself to smile.

He despised Rong Jiu, who indeed had resorted to any means necessary, even attempting to take his life in their past life. However, despite their physical intimacy, they had never shared honest words. Suddenly hearing Rong Jiu's confession in this netherworld, Mo Ran felt a swirl of conflicting emotions.

After some thought, he realized it was too complicated to sort out and decided to let it go.

He sighed and said, "Rong Jiu, I'm sorry about this matter."

Rong Jiu had lived his entire life without anyone ever apologizing to him. He froze, as if he didn't recognize Mo Ran, staring at him with wide eyes before responding, "Even if you say that, I still won't tell you where the person in the portrait is."

Mo Ran replied, "It has nothing to do with the portrait."

Rong Jiu lowered his head, pausing for a moment before suddenly speaking up, "Young Master Mo, did you know that Young Master Chang and I were plotting to kill you and steal your cultivation?"

"I knew," Mo Ran said.

"You... You knew?"

Mo Ran nodded. "I did."

Rong Jiu fell into a brief daze before he spat out resentfully, "That Chang must have leaked the information!"

He then lifted his head with a fierce expression, his eyes flickering with anger, "If I had known it would end up like this, I should've listened to him and killed you back then. At least I could've had some good days instead of such a miserable death."

Mo Ran looked at him, "You do whatever others tell you to?"

"What else could I do?" Rong Jiu said, "I just want to live a good life. Like selling my body—was that wrong? It's no different from selling fish or meat to make a living. I know you noble sons all look down on me, but it doesn't matter. What use is pride or reputation? They're not as valuable as a good drink or a piece of roasted meat. So if killing you back then would've let me survive, why wouldn't I have done it?"

Mo Ran's lips moved, about to refute, but he suddenly recalled his actions in his previous life and found himself unable to deny Rong Jiu's words.

Rong Jiu raged, "People kill animals for meat to survive, so why can't they kill people to survive?"

Mo Ran sighed and murmured, "Is living like that meaningful?"

It was as if he was asking Rong Jiu.

It was as if he was asking that former self of his, sitting high and mighty in the world beyond mortals.

"I don't know. I have no idea what you mean by 'interesting'," Rong Jiu said indifferently. "I was sold to a brothel at the age of sixteen and had to entertain clients. My first customer was a fifty-something-old Taoist priest. You ask me what's interesting? I have no clue. All I wanted when I was alive was money, so I could buy my freedom and stop pretending to be happy while serving others. But I never gained my freedom until the day I died, all thanks to you beasts."

Mo Ran didn't reply immediately. After a long while, he asked, "If you had another chance, would you still choose to conspire with Chang and kill me?"

"Indeed."

Mo Ran replied, "Fine, if I had another chance, I'd still turn back and take away all your wealth, leaving you with nothing."

"You—!"

Rong Jiu was enraged, and the light rouge on his cheeks seemed to intensify. He swayed for a moment before finally regaining his composure.

After a short while, realizing his outburst, he raised a hand to smooth his hair by the temple, then composed himself once more, putting on his usual charming smile, though his eyes still betrayed his fury.

"Say what you will. I, Rong Jiu, have my own way of living."

"I hope you can live freely and happily in the Netherworld."

Rong Jiu narrowed his eyes. "That must be truly carefree and blissful. Just lying on that bed would mean eternal liberation from the cycle of reincarnation, free from suffering. I see it more clearly than those fools in the room. I'm more than willing."

Mo Ran smiled. "But Rong Jiu, these people are under the Four Ghost Kings. Whether you live or die, whether you stay or go, it ultimately depends on their decision."

Rong Jiu was startled, then became wary, his beautiful eyes fixed on Mo Ran.

"What do you mean?"

Under normal circumstances, Mo Ran wouldn't have wanted to engage in such a tug-of-war with him. But despite Rong Jiu's submissive nature, he could be stubborn when filled with hatred. Thus, Mo Ran composed himself and said, "You may think the man in the portrait is unremarkable, but I find him excellent. Everyone has different tastes, and we can't predict if the Ghost King will take a fancy to him."

"Who would be attracted to such an icy demeanor?"

"Perhaps not," Mo Ran countered. "If the Ghost King desired someone gentle, why didn't he choose you back then?"

"..." Rong Jiu fell silent, his expression turning sour.

Seizing the opportunity, Mo Ran continued, "He's a fierce and headstrong individual. If he took a fancy to you, he might very well upset the entire Ghost Realm. When the time comes to answer for his actions, the Four Ghost Kings would be held accountable, and the execution of several Yin soldiers would be inevitable. If you wish to be like the creeper plant, you must cling to a sturdy support. If the tree you've just started to wrap around were to fall after only a few days, not only would you lose your support, but your entire existence would be uprooted, resulting in the dispersion of your soul."

Rong Jiu's already pale complexion seemed to turn even paler.

But with an alluring yet vicious tone, he said, "I refuse to believe that."

Mo Ran: "…"

"Young Master Mo, I'm betting on this. I can't stand seeing you doing better than me."

After a moment of silence, Mo Ran suddenly grew fierce as well. He stared into Rong Jiu's face and said, "I won't bet with you. Rong Jiu, I must save this person, and if you insist on playing this game, I'll risk my life against yours."

Rong Jiu lifted his head, his gaze intense. Suddenly, like a venomous snake, he placed his hand on Mo Ran's chest. "Who is he to you? How long have you known each other? Longer than me? In bed, is he better than me? Does he have more tricks up his sleeve, or does he moan more pleasingly?" He paused, his eyelashes gently falling. "Young Master Mo, you're not the type to risk your life for love. You don't have any true feelings in your heart, and you can't hide it from me."

Before he could finish speaking, Mo Ran fiercely pinched his cheek.

Mo Ran pulled him away, his dark brows knitted, flames dancing in his eyes. "I had no heart before, but now I do."

Rong Jiu abruptly lifted his gaze to meet Mo Ran's face, suddenly realizing that this person was burning hot, even a bit unfamiliar.

It was as if the person still resembled the laughing, scolding Mo Weiyu, but something about his spirit had changed.

He seemed to be scorched by this version of Mo Ran, shivering involuntarily. He tried to turn and run, but was firmly held back by the other.

"And one more thing," Mo Ran said. "Between him and me… from now on, our relationship will be pure and untainted. I respect and cherish him without any ulterior motives. Don't you dare insult him."

As he spoke, he gave Rong Jiu a push, sending the latter crashing into a pillar. Staring at the person before him in disbelief, Rong Jiu didn't even bother to ponder the oddity of the phrase "from now on, pure and untainted." If he were of sound mind, he would have surely picked up on its nuance.

'Pure and untainted from now on' implied that there had been ambiguity and passion beforehand.

But Rong Jiu failed to grasp this.

"He's not your… not your…"

Mo Ran replied, "No, he's my master."

Rong Jiu fell silent, but someone like him could always discern subtle emotions from between the lines. Feelings that even Mo Ran himself might not have been aware of, yet Rong Jiu could sense them.

He was almost certain that Mo Ran loved the person in the portrait. This realization stirred a bitter jealousy within him, who had never received love from anyone.

Even the most debonair Young Master Mo would brave fire and swords for someone, risking his life to save them.

Suddenly, he wondered: if he had been genuine with Young Master Mo, if he had bared his true heart, would Mo Ran have shown him some pure and sincere affection in return?

Yet before he could finish his thoughts, Mo Ran spoke again, his voice fierce and cold, not at all playful. "Rong Jiu, I'll ask you one last time where he is. If you still don't know, I'm a cultivator, and I'm well aware of how to use potions or spells to manipulate someone's mind. Do you believe I would risk everything to confront the Ghost King myself?"

Rong Jiu was utterly stunned. "You...?"

"I've spent my life on the wrong side of the law, but now I want a chance to make amends. But if no one allows me that, I'll remain Mo Weiyu," he whispered. "Rong Jiu, think carefully. I have nothing to fear, neither death nor the dispersion of my soul. If you push me to this extent, I'll do anything."

Neither of them spoke after that.

Their gazes locked, determination met resentment. Persistence clashed with despair. Fire met ice.

Then the ice in Rong Jiu's eyes melted. He was almost defeated by Mo Ran's relentless stare. His jealousy ran deep, but Mo Ran's obsession was just as intense. In this confrontation, he stood no chance against the Transcendent Emperor of Immortals.

Rong Jiu's face turned ashen, even the vibrant rouge couldn't conceal his haggard appearance, like a ruined wall after a storm.

"Why would you go to such lengths for him?"

"He treated me the best, yet I treated him as my greatest enemy. I owe him."

"..."

"I indeed haven't seen this person before," Rong Jiu said softly after a moment. Seeing Mo Ran's expression, he added slowly, "I'm not lying to you. But all the newly captured ghosts are locked up in the largest palace on the east side. Each of them is confined in a narrow cell, like a cage, with locks on the doors. There are guards patrolling back and forth. If you go there, you should be able to find him."

Mo Ran couldn't wait any longer. He turned and started running into the night. Rong Jiu stood rooted to the spot, watching him, overwhelmed by an indescribable bitterness that made him shout uncontrollably at Mo Ran's retreating figure, "Mo Weiyu, do you – do you want to start over? Who can truly start over! We're both people who've been immersed in the mud! Nobody can just start anew!

"Mo Weiyu! Look, I, Rong Jiu, am going to live a good life, even if it means barely scraping by! I'll sell my body, my soul, let myself rot, but I'll still wear gold and silver! Just watch! You think you can wipe away your filth with a mere swipe at your lips? Dream on! You stay true to your morals, while I live as a courtesan; let's see who can have a better life! Mo Weiyu!"

He shouted until Mo Ran was out of sight. Then, abruptly, he raised his hand to cover his face and knelt down, sobbing.

"Why do you get a second chance? Why do even someone as rotten as you deserve kindness... Why..."

The author has something to say:

I know you miss Master, but he'll be back tomorrow, 2333.

And... the title has been criticized more than once, covering my face. Plus, does it seem cute or inappropriate for the story?

So, I'd like to ask for your opinions. Should I change it back to 'This Seat Has Gone Straight', or simply call it 'Straightened Out'? Please guide this hopeless author who can't come up with names, thank you! Lying down...

Plot hint:

At the Peak of Life and Death, a cat café, resided a leopard cat named Xue Mengmeng, a ragdoll cat named Shi Mo, and a majestic white cat named Shi Zunzun. One day, the owner's brother entrusted his second dog to the feline haven...